Feb. 26, 2024 – The library has more than books – we also have Spark Kits. These kits are designed to help spark imagination and curiosity and to let people explore a new hobby without first needing to invest in supplies for it.
You can try things like crocheting, paper making, bird watching, gardening, disc golf, and more with these kits.
Materials Librarian Kristy Folsom recently created four new Spark Kits for people to enjoy:
HIIT Fit: Explore the benefits of high-intensity interval training. Contains two exercise dice and one jump rope.
Needle Felting for Beginners: Feeling creative? Try sculpting shapes and designs with wool! Contains one book, "Needle Felting for Beginners," one pouch of felting tools and supplies, one foam pad, and wool roving.
Pilates: Discover the many health benefits of this low impact, mind and body exercise. Contains one 14 inch pilates ring, one pack of pilates exercise cards, and one exercise poster.
Pickleball: Get pickling! Try your hand at this fun indoor/outdoor sport for all ages! Contains two paddles and two pickleballs.
"Our crafting spark kits and our physical activity spark kits have been quite popular! With the new kits, I wanted to expand our selection in these categories," Folsom said. "I’m especially excited about the Needle Felting and Play Pickleball spark kits because many people never get the opportunity to try out these fun activities because they don’t have access to the proper equipment. We can provide that access. My hope is that people discover enjoyable new hobbies and activities through our spark kits, and if they share those moments with others, all the better!"
The library also has Junior Spark Kits with enrichment activities for children, as well as technology kits such as laptops and WiFi hotspots, and Reflections Kits, which are designed for adults with dementia and their families and caregivers.
The Spark Kits used to be distributed throughout the Downtown Library; now you can find them all grouped together on the second floor, near the DVDs. They may be borrowed for three weeks and can be put on reserve for pickup at either the Downtown or Ladd libraries.
